...[Gov Rick] Perry regularly asserts that primary and secondary education are the state's top priority, noting that more money will go to schools in the next budget even amid deep cuts elsewhere. The state, however, is underfunding schools by $4 billion — or 6 percent — based on what was called for by state law to keep pace with costs, including those generated by 80,000 new students starting school each year. .....The Texas Education Agency attributed the success on the math test to high standards and quality teachers. Others point to the jump early in the decade to an improved...